CN112672984B - Non-electric plate configured for color comparison - Google Patents

Abstract

The present application provides an embodiment of a deadfront configured to hide a display when the display is not activated. The electroless panel includes a substrate having a first major surface and a second major surface. The second major surface is opposite the first major surface. The electroless plate also includes a neutral density filter disposed on the second major surface of the transparent substrate and an ink layer disposed on the neutral density filter. The electroless panel defines at least one display area, wherein the electroless panel transmits at least 60% of incident light; and at least one non-display area, wherein the electroless panel transmits at most 5% of incident light. A contrast sensitivity between each of the at least one display area and each of the at least one non-display area is at least 15 when the display is not activated.

Description

Configure an electroless board for color comparison

Cross References to Related Applications

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/696,967, filed July 12, 2018, on which it relies, and which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Background technique

The present disclosure relates to dead fronts for displays, and more particularly to dead fronts having matching areas between display and non-display areas.

Contents of the invention

In one aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a neutral board configured to hide a display when the display is not activated. The electroless panel includes a substrate having a first major surface and a second major surface. The second major surface is opposite to the first major surface. The electroless plate also includes a neutral density filter disposed on the second major surface of the transparent substrate and an ink layer disposed on the neutral density filter. The electroless panel defines at least one display area, wherein the electroless panel transmits at least 60% of incident light; and at least one non-display area, wherein the electroless panel transmits at most 5% of incident light. The contrast sensitivity between each of the at least one display area and each of the at least one non-display area is at least 15 when the display is not activated.

In another aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus including an electroless panel and a light source. The neutral panel has a first side and a second side. The second side is opposite the first side. The electroless panel includes a substrate having a first major surface and a second major surface. The first major surface corresponds to the first side of the electroless plate, and the second major surface is opposite to the first major surface. The electroless plate also includes a neutral density filter disposed on the second major surface of the transparent substrate and an ink layer disposed on the neutral density filter. The light source is disposed on the second side of the neutral panel. Light having a first intensity is emitted from the light source onto the second side of the electroless panel, and light transmitted through the display area of the electroless panel has a second intensity. The second intensity is within 30% of the first intensity.

In yet another aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an article of manufacture. The articles include electroless panels and displays. The electroless panel has a first side and a second side, wherein the second side is opposite the first side. The electroless panel includes a substrate having a first major surface and a second major surface. The first major surface corresponds to the first side of the electroless plate, and the second major surface is opposite to the first major surface. The electroless plate also includes a neutral density filter disposed on the second major surface of the transparent substrate and an ink layer disposed on the neutral density filter. The ink layer includes an ink having a reflectance of less than 5%. A display is disposed on the second side of the neutral plate, and the internal reflection coefficient of the display is less than 5%. The ink layer defines a non-display area through which light from the display is not transmitted, and the absence of the ink layer defines a display area through which at least some light from the display is transmitted.

Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the following detailed description and, in part, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the description, or by practice of the embodiments described herein (including The following detailed description, claims, and accompanying drawings) are recognized.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary only, and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the claims. The accompanying drawings are included to provide further understanding, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate one or more implementations, and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operations of the various implementations.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of an electronic device according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of layers of an electroless panel according to an exemplary embodiment.

3 is a graph of contrast sensitivity based on ink reflectance and film transmittance for a display having a reflectance of 1%, according to an exemplary embodiment.

4 is a graph of contrast sensitivity based on ink reflectance and display reflectance for a film with a transmittance of 0.7, according to an exemplary embodiment.

5 is a side view of a curved electroless sheet for use with a display according to an example embodiment.

6 is a front perspective view of a glass substrate for the electroless panel of FIG. 2 before a curved surface is formed, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates a curved glass electroless panel shaped to conform to a curved display frame according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates a process for cold forming a glass electroless sheet into a curved shape, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 9 illustrates a process of forming a curved glass electroless panel using a curved glass layer according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary vehicle interior including an electronic device according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

Detailed ways

Referring generally to the drawings, various embodiments of electroless panels are provided. Typically, an electroless panel is a structure used in displays that blocks the visibility of display components, icons, graphics, etc. when the display is off, but allows easy viewing of the display components when the display is on. As will be discussed in more detail herein, an electroless panel includes a substrate on which a neutral density filter is applied. Neutral density filters transmit a relatively high amount of light, eg, at least 60%, at least 70%, or at least 80% of the light, so as not to distort any colors of the display and not substantially reduce the brightness of the display. In addition, an ink layer having an ink reflectance within a specific range is applied to the neutral density filter to help create the electroless plate effect.

Specifically, the ink layer increases the contrast sensitivity so that the viewer cannot easily distinguish the display and non-display areas of the electroless panel, which might otherwise be noticed due to the high transmission of the neutral density filter. That is, when the display is off, the internal reflectance of the display can make the display area more visible to the viewer than the non-display area due to the high transmittance of the neutral density filter. Providing an ink layer with a suitable reflectance in the non-display area can significantly increase the contrast sensitivity so that the human eye cannot easily distinguish the display area from the non-display area. Furthermore, by providing a neutral density filter with high transmittance, the electroless panel does not significantly reduce the brightness of the underlying display unit. The electroless panel implementations discussed herein are provided as examples and not as limitations.

FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of an electronic device 100 including a touch interface 102 . In an embodiment, the electronic device 100 is a stand-alone device, such as a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a smart phone, a digital music player, a portable game console, a television, and the like. That is, the stand-alone electronic device 100 is primarily a display screen or interactive panel that is not incorporated into another structure, device or device. In other embodiments, the electronic device 100 is incorporated into another structure, device or device, such electronic device 100 is a device that allows interaction with the structure, device or device, for example in a vehicle, on a home appliance, in an elevator, etc. control panel. In a vehicle as shown in FIG. 10 , the electronic device 100 may be incorporated as part of its inner surface 101 . For example, the electronic device 100 may be a display/touch device provided on an instrument panel (i.e., it may form an instrument cluster display, a center stack display, and the like), provided on seat backs, armrests, pillars, door panels, floors, headboards, etc. Display/touch devices on pillows, steering wheels, sun visors, etc. Vehicles may include passenger cars, heavy trucks, marine vessels, airplanes, and the like. In one or more embodiments, the electronic device 100 may be a stand-alone display/touch device installed in a vehicle cabin.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 , electronic device 100 includes touch interface 102 , housing 104 , passive board 106 , light source (eg, display unit 108 ), and circuit board 110 . The housing 104 at least partially surrounds the touch interface 102 and, in the illustrated embodiment, provides a support surface 112 for the electroless board 106 . Furthermore, in a stand-alone device, the housing 104 may provide a boundary for the electronic device 100, while when the electronic device 100 is incorporated into another structure, device or device, the housing 104 may only be within the larger overall structure, device or device. A mount is provided for the electronic device 100 inside. In either configuration, the neutral plate 106 covers at least a portion of the touch interface 102 and may be seated in the housing 104 to provide a substantially planar viewing surface 114 . The circuit board 110 supplies power to the touch interface 102 and the display unit 108 and processes inputs from the touch interface 102 to generate corresponding responses on the display unit 108 .

Touch interface 102 may include one or more touch sensors to detect one or more touch or capacitive inputs, such as due to a user's finger, stylus, or other interactive device placed proximate to or on neutral board 106 . Touch interface 102 may generally be any type of interface configured to detect changes in capacitance or other electrical parameters that may be related to user input. Touch interface 102 may be operably connected to and/or in communication with circuit board 110 . Touch interface 102 is configured to receive input from an object (eg, based on position information of a user's finger or data from an input device). The display unit 108 is configured to display one or more output images, graphics, icons and/or videos of the electronic device 100 . Display unit 108 may be substantially any type of display mechanism, such as a light emitting diode (LED) display, organic LED (OLED) display, liquid crystal display (LCD), plasma display, or the like.

In an embodiment, the display unit 108 has an internal reflectance based on the configuration of the display unit 108 . For example, the direct backlit LCD display unit 108 may include several layers in front of the light source, such as polarizers, glass layers, thin film transistors, liquid crystals, color filters, etc., to internally reflect some of the light from the light source. In an embodiment, the display unit 108 has an internal reflectance of no greater than 5%. In other embodiments, the display unit 108 has an internal reflectance of 0.75% to 4%.

As before, the neutral board 106 provides a decorative surface that hides any graphics, icons, displays, etc. until the backlight of the display unit 108 is activated. Additionally, in an embodiment, the neutral board 106 provides a protective surface for the touch interface 102 . As will be discussed more fully below, the electroless panel 106 is configured to allow user interactions to be transmitted through the thickness of the electroless panel 106 for detection by the touch interface 102 .

Having described the general structure of the electronic device 100, the structure of the electroless board article 106 is now described. As shown in FIG. 2 , electroless panel article 106 includes substrate 120 , neutral density filter 122 and ink layer 124 . In an embodiment, the substrate 120 is glass, glass-ceramic or plastic. For example, suitable glass substrates 120 may include at least one of silicates, borosilicates, aluminosilicates, aluminoborosilicates, alkali aluminosilicates, and alkaline earth aluminosilicates, among others. Such glasses may be chemically or thermally strengthened, embodiments of such glasses are provided below. Exemplary glass- _ceramics suitable for _{electroless plate} 106 _{include Li2OxAl2O3xnSiO2} system (LAS system), _{MgOxAl2O3xnSiO2 system} (MAS system), and _ZnOxAl2 At least one of O ₃ xnSiO ₂ system (ZAS system) and the like. Exemplary plastic substrates suitable for electroless sheet 106 include polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and cellulose triacetate (TAC), polycarbonate (PC ) etc. at least one. In an embodiment, the thickness of the substrate 120 (ie, the distance between the first major surface 126 and the second major surface 128 ) is no more than about 1 mm, no more than about 0.8 mm, or no more than about 0.55 mm.

In an embodiment, the substrate 120 is selected to be transparent. In an embodiment, the transparent substrate is a transparent substrate in which at least 70% of light incident on first major surface 126 having a wavelength of about 390 nm to about 700 nm is transmitted through second major surface 128 . In further embodiments of the transparent substrate, at least 80% of such light is transmitted from the first major surface 126 through the second major surface 128, and in other embodiments at least 90% of such light is transmitted from the first major surface 126 is transmitted through second major surface 128 .

The neutral density filter 122 is disposed on the first surface 126 of the substrate 120 . As used herein, a "neutral density filter" is a layer of an electroless plate that substantially equally reduces or alters the intensity of light at all wavelengths in the visible spectrum so as not to alter the hue of light transmitted through the electroless plate . As described above with respect to substrate 120, neutral density filter 122 is selected to be at least 60% transparent. In other embodiments, neutral density filter 122 is selected to be at least 70% transparent. In other embodiments, neutral density filter 122 is selected to be at least 80% transparent.

In an embodiment, neutral density filter 122 is a film. For example, in one embodiment, the neutral density filter is a film comprising one or more layers of polyester, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). In certain embodiments, the film includes coloring components such as dyes, pigments, metallization layers, ceramic particles, carbon particles, and/or nanoparticles (eg, vanadium dioxide). In an embodiment, the coloring component is encapsulated in a layer of laminating adhesive between layers of polyester. In an embodiment, the film is adhered to the substrate 120 using an adhesive layer (eg, an acrylic adhesive). In one embodiment, neutral density filter 122 is a polyester film comprising carbon particles, about 50 μm thick, and 70% transparent, such as Prestige 70 (commercially available from 3M, St. Paul, MN).

In other embodiments, neutral density filter 122 is an ink coating. In an embodiment, the neutral density filter 122 is printed onto the substrate 120 . In embodiments, the ink coating is printed onto the substrate using screen printing, inkjet printing, spin coating, and various photolithographic techniques, among others. In an embodiment, the ink coating includes dyes and/or pigments. Also, in an embodiment, the ink coating is a CYMK neutral black with an L* of 50 to 90 according to the CIE L*a*b* color space.

The neutral density filter 122 is selected to be a gray or black scale. In an embodiment, referring to the CIE L*a*b* color space, the neutral density filter is selected such that a*=b*=0 and L*≦50. In other embodiments, the neutral density filter is selected such that a*=b*=0 and L*≦60, and in other embodiments the neutral density filter is selected such that a*=b*=0 and L*≦75.

The ink layer 124 is disposed on the neutral density filter 122 . As will be discussed more fully below, the ink layer 124 is selected based on its reflectance. In an embodiment, the reflectance of the ink used in the ink layer 124 is between 0.1% and 5%. In another embodiment, the reflectance of the ink is from 1% to 4%. The ink layer 124 is an opaque layer (ie <5% transmittance of visible light, or preferably 0% transmittance) that blocks the visibility of any components beneath the electroless plate 106 in these areas. For example, the ink layer 124 may be used to block the visibility of connections to the display unit 108 , borders of the display unit 108 , circuitry, etc., located under the electroless board 106 . Thus, in an embodiment, the ink layer 124 is used to define a display area 132 (i.e., the area intended to be seen by a viewer when the display unit is turned on) of the electroless panel 106 and a non-display area 134 ( That is, the area that is not intended to be seen by the viewer, whether the display is off or on). In an embodiment, ink layer 124 is selected to have an optical density of at least three. The ink layer 124 may be applied using screen printing, inkjet printing, spin coating, and various photolithographic techniques, among others. In an embodiment, the ink layer 124 has a thickness of 1 μm to 20 μm. In an embodiment, the ink layer 124 is also selected to be gray or black; however, the ink layer 124 may be other colors as desired to match any other color in the electroless panel 106 .

The ink layer 124 is disposed on the neutral density filter 122 and helps to reduce visual effects produced by the internal reflectance of the display unit 108 . In this manner, the ink layer 124 prevents high contrast between the display and non-display areas covered by the electroless sheet 106, such that when viewing the second major surface 128 with the display turned off, the viewer will not be able to distinguish the display and non-display areas .

Contrast sensitivity is a way of quantifying how easily the human eye can distinguish two areas of different contrast. The contrast sensitivity used in this paper is calculated according to the following formula:

CS≈R _N +R _I /|R _D –R _I |

CS is the contrast sensitivity, _RN is the reflectivity of the second major surface 128 of the substrate, R _I is the reflectivity of the ink, and _RD is the internal reflectance of the display. An exemplary representation of each of R _N , R _I , and R _D is shown in FIG. 2 .

According to the formula, the average human eye cannot perceive a contrast sensitivity of at least 20. Thus, in an embodiment, the electroless panel 106 has a contrast sensitivity of at least 15 between the display area 132 and the non-display area 134 when the display unit 108 is off. In other embodiments, the neutral panel 106 has a contrast sensitivity of at least 17 between the display area 132 and the non-display area 134 when the display unit 108 is off. In other embodiments, the electroless panel 106 has a contrast sensitivity of at least 20 between the display area 132 and the non-display area 134 .

A particular contrast sensitivity is achieved by taking into account the transparency of the neutral density filter 122 , the reflectance of the ink in the ink layer 124 , and the reflectance of the display unit 108 . For example, FIG. 3 provides a graph of the contrast sensitivity between the icon display area 132 and the non-display area 134, which is the transmission coefficient of the neutral density filter 122, for a display unit with an internal reflectance of 1%. and a function of the reflection coefficient of the ink in the ink layer 124 . The level of contrast sensitivity is displayed in a color spectrum, with dark blue representing a contrast sensitivity of 0 and yellow representing a contrast sensitivity of 20. It can be seen that for a neutral density filter 122 having a relatively high transmission of 60% to 80%, a contrast sensitivity of 20 can be achieved using an ink having a reflectance of about 1%.

4 provides a graph of the contrast sensitivity of the icon as a function of the reflectance of the display unit 108 and the reflectance of the ink in the ink layer 124 for a neutral density filter 122 with 70% transmission. As in Figure 3, the yellow area represents a contrast sensitivity of 20. Thus, according to FIG. 4 , the ink for ink layer 124 may be selected based on the reflectance of a given display unit 108 and based on the transmittance of a given neutral density filter 122 . For example, assuming that the display unit 108 has a reflectance of 3% and the neutral density filter 122 has a transmittance of 70%, an ink with a reflectance of 3% will provide the electroless panel 106 with a 3% reflectance between the display area 132 and the non-display area 134. the desired color contrast.

Advantageously, an electroless panel 106 constructed in the described manner does not significantly reduce the brightness of the underlying display unit 108 . More specifically, by using neutral density filter 122 with high transmittance, the brightness of display 108 is not greatly reduced. For example, in an embodiment, the brightness of the display unit 108 as viewed from the second major surface 128 is within 40% of the brightness of the display unit 108 incident on the backside of the electroless sheet 106 . In other embodiments, the brightness of the display unit 108 as viewed from the second major surface 128 is within 30% of the brightness of the display unit 108 incident on the backside of the electroless sheet 106 . In other embodiments, the brightness of the display unit 108 as viewed from the second major surface 128 is within 20% of the brightness of the display unit 108 incident on the backside of the electroless sheet 106 .

Furthermore, in any of the various embodiments described herein, the electroless board 106 attempts to minimize any distortion of the underlying images, graphics, icons, etc. on the display unit 108, such as the electronic device in which the electroless board 106 is incorporated. Perceived by 100's of users. That is, the colors visible to the viewer through the neutral panel 106 are substantially similar to the colors output through the display unit 108 of the electronic device. Referring to the CIE L*a*b* color space, in an embodiment, the difference between each L*, a*, and b* value is less than 10 for the value output by the display unit and the value perceived by the observer. In further embodiments, each of the L*, a*, and b* values differ by less than 5, and in other embodiments, each of the L*, a*, and b* values differ by less than 2. Using the CIE L*a*b* color system, the difference between two colors can be quantified using ΔE* _ab , _which can be calculated in various ways according to CIE76, CIE94, and CIE00. The color difference is less than 20 in embodiments using either calculation method for ΔE* _ab . In further embodiments, the color difference ΔE* _ab is less than 10, and in other embodiments, the color difference ΔE* _ab is less than 2.

Embodiments of the electroless panel 106 disclosed herein provide several advantages. For example, the electroless plate 106 allows uniform visual properties and tunable optical efficacy from macroscopic to microscopic regions. Furthermore, the neutral panel 106 can overlay any bright display with minimal changes to the functionality and attributes of the electronic device, such as touch functionality, screen resolution, and color. Furthermore, the electroless plate 106 allows for additional functionality such as a semi-specular finish, additional switching, low reflective neutral colors, or metallic and special color effects when the display is off. Additionally, in certain embodiments, the electroless sheet 106 is laminated with an optically clear adhesive (OCA) to any type of display application, such as home electronics, automotive interiors, medical, industrial device controls and displays, and the like. Furthermore, standard industry coating processes are used to construct the electroless panel 106, which allows for easy mass production.

Referring to FIGS. 5-9 , various sizes, shapes, curvatures, glass materials, etc. for glass-based electroless panels and various processes for forming curved glass-based electroless panels are shown and described. It should be understood that although FIGS. 5-9 are described in the context of a simplified curved electroless panel structure 2000 for ease of illustration, the electroless panel structure 2000 may be any electroless panel embodiment discussed herein.

As shown in FIG. 5 , in one or more embodiments, an electroless panel 2000 includes a curved outer glass layer 2010 (eg, substrate 120 ) having at least a first radius of curvature R1, and in various embodiments, the curved outer Glass ply 2010 is a sheet of compound curved glass material having at least one additional radius of curvature. In various embodiments, R1 is in the range of about 60 mm to about 1500 mm.

The curved electroless panel 2000 includes a polymer layer 2020 positioned along the inner major surface of the curved outer glass layer 2010 . The curved electroless panel 2000 also includes a metal layer 2030 . In addition, the curved electroless sheet 2000 may also include any of the other layers described above, such as surface treatments, ink layers, and optically clear adhesives. Additionally, curved electroless sheet 2000 may include layers such as high optical density layers, light guiding layers, reflective layers, display modules, display stack layers, light sources, etc., which may also be associated with the electronic devices discussed herein.

As will be discussed in more detail below, in various embodiments, the curved electroless sheet 2000 including the glass layer 2010, the polymer layer 2020, the metal layer 2030, and any other optional layers can be cold formed together into a curved shape, as shown in FIG. 5. In other embodiments, glass layer 2010 may be formed into a curved shape, with layers 2020 and 2030 then applied after the curved surface is formed.

Referring to FIG. 6 , there is shown the outer glass layer 2010 prior to being formed into the curved shape shown in FIG. 5 . In general, applicants believe that the articles and processes discussed herein provide high quality electroless sheet structures utilizing glass having dimensions, shapes, compositions, strengths, etc. not previously provided.

As shown in FIG. 6 , outer glass layer 2010 includes a first major surface 2050 and a second major surface 2060 opposite first major surface 2050 . Edge or minor surface 2070 connects first major surface 2050 and second major surface 2060 . The outer glass layer 2010 has a thickness (t) that is substantially constant and is defined as the distance between the first major surface 2050 and the second major surface 2060 . In some embodiments, thickness (t) as used herein refers to the maximum thickness of the outer glass layer 2010 . The outer glass layer 2010 includes a width (W), which is defined as the first largest dimension of one of the first major surface or the second major surface, normal to the thickness (t), and the outer glass layer 2010 also includes a length (L), which is defined as the second largest dimension of one of the first surface or the second surface, normal to both the thickness and the width. In other embodiments, the dimensions discussed herein are average dimensions.

In one or more embodiments, the thickness (t) of the outer glass layer 2010 is in the range of 0.05 mm to 2 mm. In various embodiments, the outer glass layer 2010 has a thickness (t) of about 1.5 mm or less. For example, thicknesses may range from about 0.1 mm to about 1.5 mm, from about 0.15 mm to about 1.5 mm, from about 0.2 mm to about 1.5 mm, from about 0.25 mm to about 1.5 mm, from about 0.3 mm to about 1.5 mm, from about 0.35 mm to About 1.5mm, about 0.4mm to about 1.5mm, about 0.45mm to about 1.5mm, about 0.5mm to about 1.5mm, about 0.55mm to about 1.5mm, about 0.6mm to about 1.5mm, about 0.65mm to about 1.5mm mm, about 0.7mm to about 1.5mm, about 0.1mm to about 1.4mm, about 0.1mm to about 1.3mm, about 0.1mm to about 1.2mm, about 0.1mm to about 1.1mm, about 0.1mm to about 1.05mm, About 0.1mm to about 1mm, about 0.1mm to about 0.95mm, about 0.1mm to about 0.9mm, about 0.1mm to about 0.85mm, about 0.1mm to about 0.8mm, about 0.1mm to about 0.75mm, about 0.1mm to about 0.7mm, about 0.1mm to about 0.65mm, about 0.1mm to about 0.6mm, about 0.1mm to about 0.55mm, about 0.1mm to about 0.5mm, about 0.1mm to about 0.4mm, or about 0.3mm to About 0.7mm.

In one or more embodiments, the width (W) of the outer glass layer 2010 ranges from about 5 cm to about 250 cm, from about 10 cm to about 250 cm, from about 15 cm to about 250 cm, from about 20 cm to about 250 cm, from about 25 cm to about 250 cm, About 30cm to about 250cm, about 35cm to about 250cm, about 40cm to about 250cm, about 45cm to about 250cm, about 50cm to about 250cm, about 55cm to about 250cm, about 60cm to about 250cm, about 65cm to about 250cm, about 70cm to about 250 cm, about 75 cm to about 250 cm, about 80 cm to about 250 cm, about 85 cm to about 250 cm, about 90 cm to about 250 cm, about 95 cm to about 250 cm, about 100 cm to about 250 cm, about 110 cm to about 250 cm, about 120 cm to about 250cm, about 130cm to about 250cm, about 140cm to about 250cm, about 150cm to about 250cm, about 5cm to about 240cm, about 5cm to about 230cm, about 5cm to about 220cm, about 5cm to about 210cm, about 5cm to about 200cm, About 5cm to about 190cm, about 5cm to about 180cm, about 5cm to about 170cm, about 5cm to about 160cm, about 5cm to about 150cm, about 5cm to about 140cm, about 5cm to about 130cm, about 5cm to about 120cm, about 5cm to about 110 cm, about 5 cm to about 100 cm, about 5 cm to about 90 cm, about 5 cm to about 80 cm, or about 5 cm to about 75 cm.

In one or more embodiments, the length (L) of the outer glass layer 2010 ranges from about 5 cm to about 250 cm, from about 10 cm to about 250 cm, from about 15 cm to about 250 cm, from about 20 cm to about 250 cm, from about 25 cm to about 250 cm, About 30cm to about 250cm, about 35cm to about 250cm, about 40cm to about 250cm, about 45cm to about 25cm to about 250 cm, about 75 cm to about 250 cm, about 80 cm to about 250 cm, about 85 cm to about 250 cm, about 90 cm to about 250 cm, about 95 cm to about 250 cm, about 100 cm to about 250 cm cm, about 110 cm to about 250 cm, about 120 cm to About 250 cm, about 130 cm to about 250 cm, about 140 cm to about 250 cm, about 150 cm to about 250 cm, about 5 cm to about 240 cm, about 5 cm to about 230 cm, about 5 cm to about 220 cm, about 5 cm to about 210 cm, about 5 cm to about 200 cm , about 5cm to about 190cm, about 5cm to about 180cm, about 5cm to about 170cm, about 5cm to about 160cm, about 5cm to about 150cm, about 5cm to about 140cm, about 5cm to about 130cm, about 5cm to about 120cm, about 5 cm to about 110 cm, about 5 cm to about 100 cm, about 5 cm to about 90 cm, about 5 cm to about 80 cm, or about 5 cm to about 75 cm.

As shown in FIG. 5, the outer glass layer 2010 is shaped into a curved shape having at least one radius of curvature (shown as R1). In various embodiments, the outer glass layer 2010 can be formed into a curved shape by any suitable process, including cold forming and thermoforming.

In a particular embodiment, outer glass layer 2010 is formed into the curved shape shown in FIG. 5 by a cold forming process, either alone or after attachment of layers 2020 and 2030 . As used herein, the term "cold bending" or "cold forming" refers to bending an electroless sheet of glass (as described herein) at a cold forming temperature below the softening point of the glass. The cold-formed glass layer is characterized by an asymmetric surface compression between the first major surface 2050 and the second major surface 2060 . In some embodiments, the respective compressive stresses in first major surface 2050 and second major surface 2060 are substantially equal prior to the cold forming process or prior to cold forming.

In some such embodiments where outer glass layer 2010 is not strengthened, first major surface 2050 and second major surface 2060 exhibit no appreciable compressive stress prior to cold forming. In some such embodiments in which outer glass layer 2010 is strengthened (as described herein), first major surface 2050 and second major surface 2060 exhibit substantially equal compressive stress relative to each other prior to cold forming. In one or more embodiments, after cold forming, the compressive stress on the second major surface 2060 (e.g., concave after bending) increases (i.e., the compressive stress on the second major surface 2060 is higher after cold forming than after cold forming). before forming).

Without being bound by theory, the cold forming process increases the compressive stress of the formed glass article to compensate for the tensile stress applied during the bending and/or forming operation. In one or more embodiments, the cold forming process subjects the second major surface 2060 to compressive stress while the first major surface 2050 (eg, convex after bending) is subjected to tensile stress. The tensile stress experienced by surface 2050 after bending results in a net reduction in surface compressive stress such that the compressive stress in surface 2050 of the strengthened glass sheet after bending is less than the compressive stress in surface 2050 when the glass sheet is flat.

Furthermore, when a strengthened glass sheet is used for the outer glass layer 2010, the first and second major surfaces (2050, 2060) are already under compressive stress, so the first major surface 2050 can experience greater tension during bending stress without risk of rupture. This enables reinforced embodiments of the outer glass layer 2010 to conform to tighter curved surfaces (eg, shaped to have a smaller R1 value).

In various embodiments, the thickness of the outer glass layer 2010 is adjusted to allow the outer glass layer 2010 to be more flexible to achieve a desired radius of curvature. Additionally, the thinner outer glass layer 2010 can deform more easily, which can potentially compensate for shape mismatches and gaps that may arise from the shape of the supports or frame (as discussed below). In one or more embodiments, the thin and strengthened outer glass layer 2010 exhibits greater flexibility, especially during cold forming. The greater flexibility of the glass articles discussed herein may allow consistent bends to be formed without heating.

In various embodiments, the outer glass layer 2010 (and thus the electroless panel 2000) can have a compound curve including major radii and cross curvatures. The complex curved cold-formed outer glass ply 2010 may have different radii of curvature in two separate directions. According to one or more embodiments, the complexly curved, cold-formed outer glass ply 2010 may thus be characterized as having a "cross-curvature" in which the cold-formed outer glass ply 2010 is along an axis parallel to a given dimension (i.e., the first axis) bend and also bend along an axis perpendicular to the same dimension (ie, the second axis). The curvature of the cold-formed outer glass layer 2010 can be even more complex when a significant minimum radius is combined with a significant cross curvature and/or bending depth.

Referring to FIG. 7, an icon display component 2100 is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, the display assembly 2100 includes a frame 2110 that supports (directly or indirectly) both a light source (shown as a display module 2120 ) and the electroless panel structure 2000 . As shown in FIG. 7 , the electroless panel structure 2000 and the display module 2120 are coupled to the frame 2110 , and the display module 2120 is positioned to allow a user to view light, images, etc. generated by the display module 2120 through the electroless panel structure 2000 . In various embodiments, the frame 2110 can be made of various materials, such as plastic (PC/ABS, etc.), metal (Al-alloy, Mg-alloy, Fe-alloy, etc.). The curved shape of the frame 2110 may be formed using various processes such as casting, machining, stamping, injection molding, and the like. Although FIG. 7 illustrates light sources in module form, it should be understood that display assembly 2100 may include any light source discussed herein for generating graphics, icons, images, displays, etc., from any of the electroless panel implementations discussed herein. Furthermore, while frame 2110 is shown as a frame associated with a display assembly, frame 2110 may be any support or frame structure associated with a vehicle interior system.

In various embodiments, the systems and methods described herein allow the electroless panel structure 2000 to be formed to conform to various curved shapes that the frame 2110 may have. As shown in FIG. 7 , the frame 2110 has a supporting surface 2130 having a curved shape, and the shape of the electroless plate structure 2000 matches the curved shape of the supporting surface 2130 . As will be appreciated, the electroless panel structure 2000 may be shaped into various shapes to conform to the desired frame shape of the display assembly 2100, which may in turn be shaped to fit a portion of a vehicle interior system, as discussed herein.

In one or more embodiments, the electroless panel structure 2000 (and in particular the outer glass layer 2010 ) is shaped to have a first radius of curvature R1 of about 60 mm or greater. For example, R1 can range from about 60mm to about 1500mm, about 70mm to about 1500mm, about 80mm to about 1500mm, about 90mm to about 1500mm, about 100mm to about 1500mm, about 120mm to about 1500mm, about 140mm to about 1500mm, about 150mm to about 1500mm, about 160mm to about 1500mm, about 180mm to about 1500mm, about 200mm to about 1500mm, about 220mm to about 1500mm, about 240mm to about 1500mm, about 250mm to about 1500mm, about 260mm to about 1500mm, about 270mm to About 1500mm, about 280mm to about 1500mm, about 290mm to about 1500mm, about 300mm to about 1500mm, about 350mm to about 1500mm, about 400mm to about 1500mm, about 450mm to about 1500mm, about 500mm to about 1500mm, about 550mm to about 1500mm About 1250mm to about 1500mm, about 60mm to about 1400mm, about 60mm to about 1300mm, about 60mm to about 1200mm, about 60mm to about 1100mm, about 60mm to about 1000mm, about 60mm to about 950mm, about 60mm to about 900mm, about 60mm to About 850mm, about 60mm to about 800mm, about 60mm to about 750mm, about 60mm to about 700mm, about 60mm to about 650mm, about 60mm to about 600mm, about 60mm to about 550mm, about 60mm to about 500mm, about 60mm to about 450mm , about 60mm to about 400mm, about 60mm to about 350mm, about 60mm to about 300mm, or about 60mm to about 250mm.

In one or more embodiments, the support surface 2130 has a second radius of curvature of about 60 mm or greater. For example, the second radius of curvature of the support surface 2130 may range from about 60 mm to about 1500 mm, from about 70 mm to about 1500 mm, from about 80 mm to about 1500 mm, from about 90 mm to about 1500 mm, from about 100 mm to about 1500 mm, from about 120 mm to about 1500 mm, About 140mm to about 1500mm, about 150mm to about 1500mm, about 160mm to about 1500mm, about 180mm to about 1500mm, about 200mm to about 1500mm, about 220mm to about 1500mm, about 240mm to about 1500mm, about 250mm to about 1500mm, about 260mm to about 1500mm, about 270mm to about 1500mm, about 280mm to about 1500mm, about 290mm to about 1500mm, about 300mm to about 1500mm, about 350mm to about 1500mm, about 400mm to about 1500mm, about 450mm to about 1500mm, about 500mm to about 1500mm, about 550mm to about 1500mm, about 600mm to about 1500mm, about 650mm to about 1500mm, about 700mm to about 1500mm, about 750mm to about 1500mm, about 800mm to about 1500mm, about 900mm to about 1500mm, about 950mm to about 1500mm, About 1000mm to about 1500mm, about 1250mm to about 1500mm, about 60mm to about 1400mm, about 60mm to about 1300mm, about 60mm to about 1200mm, about 60mm to about 1100mm, about 60mm to about 1000mm, about 60mm to about 950mm, about 60mm to about 900mm, about 60mm to about 850mm, about 60mm to about 800mm, about 60mm to about 750mm, about 60mm to about 700mm, about 60mm to about 650mm, about 60mm to about 600mm, about 60mm to about 550mm, about 60mm to about 500mm, about 60mm to about 450mm, about 60mm to about 400mm, about 60mm to about 350mm, about 60mm to about 300mm, or about 60mm to about 250mm.

In one or more embodiments, the electroless panel structure 2000 is cold formed to exhibit a first radius of curvature R1 that is 10% (eg, about 10% or less) of a second radius of curvature of the support surface 2130 of the frame 2110 , about 9% or less, about 8% or less, about 7% or less, about 6% or less, or about 5% or less). For example, the supporting surface 2130 of the frame 2110 has a radius of curvature of 1000 mm, and the electroless plate structure 2000 is cold formed to have a radius of curvature in the range of about 900 mm to about 1100 mm.

In one or more embodiments, first major surface 2050 and/or second major surface 2060 of glass layer 2010 includes a surface treatment or functional coating. The surface treatment may cover at least a portion of first major surface 2050 and/or second major surface 2060 . Exemplary surface treatments include glare-reducing or anti-glare coatings, anti-glare surfaces (e.g., etched surfaces), scratch-resistant coatings, anti-reflective coatings, semi-specular coatings, easy-to-clean coatings, or ink decorations at least one or a combination of them.

Referring to FIG. 8 , a method 2200 for forming a display assembly comprising a cold-formed electroless sheet structure, such as electroless sheet structure 2000 is illustrated. At step 2210, an electroless panel stack or structure, such as electroless panel structure 2000, is supported and/or placed on a curved support. Typically, the curved support may be a frame of the display, such as frame 2110, which defines the perimeter and curved shape of the vehicle display. Typically, the curved frame includes a curved support surface, and one of the major surfaces 2050 and 2060 of the electroless panel structure 2000 is placed in contact with the curved support surface.

At step 2220, when the electroless plate structure is supported by the support, a force is applied to the electroless plate structure such that the electroless plate structure bends to conform to the curved shape of the support. In this way, as shown in FIG. 5 , a curved electroless plate structure 2000 is formed from a substantially planar electroless plate structure. In this arrangement, a flat electroless panel structure is curved to form a curved shape on the main surface facing the support, while also forming a corresponding (but complementary) curved surface in the main surface opposite the frame. Applicants believe that by bending the electroless panel structure directly on the bending frame, the need for a separate bending mold or pattern (typically required in other glass bending processes) is eliminated. Furthermore, applicants believe that by directly forming electroless plates into curved frames, a wide range of bend radii can be achieved in a low-complexity manufacturing process.

In some embodiments, the force applied in step 2220 may be air pressure applied via a vacuum gripper. In some other embodiments, the air pressure differential is created by applying a vacuum to an airtight enclosure surrounding the frame and electroless plate structure. In a specific embodiment, the airtight housing is a flexible polymer housing, such as a plastic bag or pouch. In other embodiments, the air pressure differential is created by using an overpressure device such as an autoclave to create increased air pressure around the electroless plate structure and frame. Applicants have also found that air pressure provides a consistent and highly uniform bending force (compared to contact-based bending methods), which further leads to a robust manufacturing process. In various embodiments, the air pressure differential is between 0.5 and 1.5 atmospheres (atm), specifically between 0.7 atm and 1.1 atm, and more specifically between 0.8 atm and 1 atm.

At step 2230, during bending, the temperature of the electroless sheet structure is maintained below the glass transition temperature of the material of the outer glass layer. Thus, method 2200 is a cold forming or cold bending process. In specific embodiments, the temperature of the electroless plate structure is maintained below 500 degrees Celsius, below 400 degrees Celsius, below 300 degrees Celsius, below 200 degrees Celsius, or below 100 degrees Celsius. In particular embodiments, the electroless plate structure is maintained at or below room temperature during bending. In particular embodiments, during bending, the electroless plate structure is not actively heated by a heating assembly, furnace, oven, etc. as is the case with thermoforming the glass into the bent shape.

As previously stated, in addition to providing processing advantages such as the elimination of costly and/or slow heating steps, the cold forming process discussed herein is believed to produce curved electroless sheet structures with properties believed to be superior to those produced by thermoforming The craft can achieve them. For example, Applicants believe that, for at least some glass materials, heating during the thermoforming process degrades the optical properties of a curved glass sheet, and therefore, electroless sheets based on curved glass formed using the cold bending processes/systems discussed herein provide Both curved glass shapes and improved optical quality not achievable with thermal bending processes are achieved.

Furthermore, many glass coating materials (eg, anti-glare coatings, anti-reflective coatings, etc.) are applied via deposition processes (such as sputtering processes), which are generally not suitable for coating onto curved surfaces. Additionally, many coating materials, such as polymer layers, cannot withstand the high temperatures associated with thermal bending processes. Thus, in the particular embodiment discussed herein, layer 2020 is applied to outer glass layer 2010 prior to cold bending. Accordingly, Applicants believe that the processes and systems discussed herein allow glass to be bent after application of one or more coating materials to the glass as compared to typical thermoforming processes.

At step 2240, the curved electroless panel structure is attached or secured to the curved support. In various embodiments, the attachment between the curved electroless panel structure and the curved support may be achieved by an adhesive material. Such adhesives may include any suitable optically clear adhesive for bonding the electroless panel structure in place relative to the display assembly (eg, to the frame of the display). In one example, the adhesive can include an optically clear adhesive commercially available from 3M Corporation under the trade designation 8215. The thickness of the adhesive may range from about 200 μm to about 500 μm.

The adhesive material can be applied in various ways. In one embodiment, the adhesive is applied using an applicator gun and evened out using a roller or doctor blade. In various embodiments, the adhesives discussed herein are structural adhesives. In particular embodiments, the structural adhesive may comprise an adhesive selected from one or more of the following classes: (a) toughened epoxy (Masterbond EP21TDCHT-LO, 3M Scotch Weld Epoxy DP460 Off-white) (b) flexible epoxy (Masterbond EP21TDC-2LO, 3M Scotch Weld Epoxy 2216B/A Gray); (c) acrylic (LORD Adhesive410/Accelerator 19w/LORD AP 134primer, LORD Adhesive 852/LORDAccelerator 25GB, Loctite HF8000, Loctite AA4800 ); (d) polyurethane (3M Scotch Weld Urethane DP640 Brown); and (e) silicone (Dow Corning 995). In some cases, a structural adhesive in sheet form (such as a B-stage epoxy adhesive) may be used. Additionally, pressure sensitive structural adhesives, such as 3M VHB tape, may be used. In such embodiments, utilizing a pressure sensitive adhesive allows the curved electroless sheet structure to be bonded to the frame without the need for a curing step.

Referring to FIG. 9 , a method 2300 of forming a display using a curved electroless sheet structure is shown and described. In some embodiments, at step 2310, the glass layer of the electroless sheet structure (eg, outer glass layer 2010) is formed into a curved shape. The forming at step 2310 may be cold forming or hot forming. At step 2320, the electroless sheet structure polymer layer 2020, metal layer 2030 and any other optional layers are applied to the glass layer after forming. Next, at step 2330, the curved electroless panel structure is attached to a frame, such as frame 2110 of display assembly 2100, or other frame that may be associated with a vehicle interior system.

glass material

The various glass layers of the electroless panel structures discussed herein, such as the outer glass layer 2010, can be formed from any suitable glass composition, including soda lime glass, aluminosilicate glass, borosilicate glass, boroaluminosilicate Salt glass, alkali-containing aluminosilicate glass, alkali-containing borosilicate glass, and alkali-containing boroaluminosilicate glass.

Unless otherwise indicated, the glass compositions disclosed herein are described in mole percent (mol %) based on oxide analysis.

In one or more embodiments, the glass composition may include _SiO2 in an amount ranging from about 66 mol% to about 80 mol%, about 67 mol% to _about 80 mol%, about 68 mol% to about 80 mol%, about 69 mol% to about 80 mol%, about 70 mol% to about 80 mol%, about 72 mol% to about 80 mol%, about 65 mol% to about 78 mol%, about 65 mol% to about 76 mol%, about 65 mol% to about 75 mol%, about 65 mol% to about 74 mol%, about 65 mol% to about 72 mol%, or about 65 mol% to about 70 mol%, and all ranges and subranges therebetween.

In one or more embodiments, the glass composition includes Al ₂ O ₃ in an amount greater than about 4 mol%, or greater than about 5 mol%. In one or more embodiments, the glass composition comprises _Al2O3 in the range of greater than about 7 mol% to about 15 mol%, greater than about 7 mol% to about 14 mol _% , about 7 mol% to about 13 mol%, about 4 mol% to about 12 mol%, about 7 mol% to about 11 mol%, about 8 mol% to about 15 mol%, 9 mol% to about 15 mol%, about 9 mol% to about 15 mol%, about 10 mol% to about 15 mol%, about 11 mol% to about 15 mol% %, or from about 12 mol % to about 15 mol %, and all ranges and subranges therebetween. In one or more embodiments, the upper limit for Al ₂ O ₃ may be about 14 mol%, 14.2 mol%, 14.4 mol%, 14.6 mol%, or 14.8 mol%.

In one or more embodiments, the glass layers described herein are aluminosilicate glass articles or include aluminosilicate glass compositions. In such embodiments _, the glass composition or article formed thereby includes _SiO2 and _Al2O3 , and is not a soda lime silicate glass. In this regard, glass compositions or articles formed _thereby include _Al2O3 in an amount of about 2 mol % or more, 2.25 mol % or more, 2.5 mol % or more, about 2.75 mol % or more More, about 3 mol% or more.

In one or more embodiments, the glass composition includes B ₂ O ₃ (eg, about 0.01 mol % or more). In one or more embodiments, the glass composition comprises B ₂ O ₃ in an amount ranging from about 0 mol% to about 5 mol%, _about 0 mol% to about 4 mol%, about 0 _mol % to about 3 mol%, About 0 mol% to about 2 mol%, about 0 mol% to about 1 mol%, about 0 mol% to about 0.5 mol%, about 0.1 mol% to about 5 mol%, about 0.1 mol% to about 4 mol%, about 0.1 mol% to about 3 mol% %, about 0.1 mol% to about 2 mol%, about 0.1 mol% to about 1 mol%, about 0.1 mol% to about 0.5 mol%, and all ranges and subranges therebetween. In one or more embodiments, the glass composition is substantially free of B ₂ O ₃ .

As used herein, the phrase "substantially free" with respect to a component of a composition means that the component is not actively or intentionally added to the composition during initial formulation, but may be present in less than about 0.001 mol % amount exists as an impurity.

In one or more _embodiments , the glass composition optionally includes _P2O5 (eg, about 0.01 mol% or more). In one or more embodiments, the glass composition includes a non-zero amount of _P2O5 , _up to and including 2 mol%, 1.5 mol%, 1 mol%, or 0.5 mol%. In one or more embodiments, the glass composition is substantially free of P ₂ O ₅ .

In one or more embodiments, the glass composition may include a total amount of R ₂ O (such as Li ₂ O, Na ₂ O, K ₂ O, Rb ₂ O, and the total amount of alkali metal oxides of Cs ₂ O). In some embodiments, the glass composition comprises a total amount of _R2O ranging from about 8 mol% to about 20 mol%, about 8 mol% to about 18 mol%, about 8 mol% to about 16 mol%, about 8 mol% to about 14 mol% , about 8mol% to about 12mol%, about 9mol% to about 20mol%, about 10mol% to about 20mol%, about 11mol% to about 20mol%, about 12mol% to about 20mol%, about 13mol% to about 20mol%, about 10 mol% to about 14 mol%, or 11 mol% to about 13 mol%, and all ranges and subranges therebetween. In one or more embodiments, the glass composition can be substantially free of _Rb2O , _Cs2O , or both _Rb2O and _Cs2O . In one or more embodiments, R ₂ O may only include the total amount of Li ₂ O, Na ₂ O, and K ₂ O. In one or more embodiments, the glass composition may include at least one alkali metal oxide selected from _Li2O , _Na2O , and _K2O , wherein the alkali metal oxide is present in an amount greater than about 8 mol % or More.

In one or more embodiments, the glass composition comprises _Na2O in an amount greater than or equal to about 8 mol%, greater than or equal to about 10 mol%, or greater than or equal to about 12 mol%. In one or more embodiments, the composition comprises _Na2O in the range of about 8 mol% to about 20 mol%, about 8 mol% to about 18 mol%, about 8 mol% to about 16 mol%, about 8 mol% to about 14 mol% , about 8mol% to about 12mol%, about 9mol% to about 20mol%, about 10mol% to about 20mol%, about 11mol% to about 20mol%, about 12mol% to about 20mol%, about 13mol% to about 20mol%, about 10 mol% to about 14 mol%, or 11 mol% to about 16 mol%, and all ranges and subranges therebetween.

In one or more embodiments, the glass composition comprises less than about 4 mol% _K2O , less than about 3 mol% _K2O , or less than about 1 mol% _K2O . In some cases, the glass composition may include _K2O in an amount ranging from about 0 mol% to about 4 mol%, about 0 mol% to about 3.5 mol%, about 0 mol% to about 3 mol%, 0 mol% to about 2.5 mol% , about 0 mol% to about 2 mol%, about 0 mol% to about 1.5 mol%, about 0 mol% to about 1 mol%, about 0 mol% to about 0.5 mol%, about 0 mol% to about 0.2 mol%, about 0 mol% to about 0.1 mol%, about 0.5 mol% to about 4 mol%, about 0.5 mol% to about 3.5 mol%, about 0.5 mol% to about 3 mol%, about 0.5 mol% to about 2.5 mol%, about 0.5 mol% to about 2 mol%, From about 0.5 mol% to about 1.5 mol%, or from about 0.5 mol% to about 1 mol%, and all ranges and subranges therebetween. In one or more embodiments, the glass composition can be substantially free of _K2O .

In one or more embodiments, the glass composition is substantially free of _Li2O .

In one or more embodiments, the amount of _Na2O in the composition may be greater than the amount of _Li2O . In some cases, the amount of _Na2O may be greater than the total amount of _Li2O and _K2O . In one or more alternative embodiments, the amount of _Li2O in the composition may be greater than the amount of _Na2O , or greater than the combined amount of _Na2O and _K2O .

In one or more embodiments, the glass composition may include a total amount of RO (which is the total amount of alkaline earth metal oxides such as CaO, MgO, BaO, ZnO, and SrO) ranging from about 0 mol% to about 2 mol%. ). In some embodiments, the glass composition includes a non-zero amount of RO up to about 2 mol%. In one or more embodiments, the glass composition comprises RO in an amount of about 0 mol% to about 1.8 mol%, about 0 mol% to about 1.6 mol%, about 0 mol% to about 1.5 mol%, about 0 mol% to about 1.4 mol%, about 0 mol% to about 1.2 mol%, about 0 mol% to about 1 mol%, about 0 mol% to about 0.8 mol%, about 0 mol% to about 0.5 mol%, and all ranges and subranges therebetween.

In one or more embodiments, the glass composition includes CaO in an amount less than about 1 mol%, less than about 0.8 mol%, or less than about 0.5 mol%. In one or more embodiments, the glass composition is substantially free of CaO. In some embodiments, the glass composition comprises MgO in an amount of about 0 mol% to about 7 mol%, about 0 mol% to about 6 mol%, about 0 mol% to about 5 mol%, about 0 mol% to about 4 mol%, about 0.1 mol% % to about 7 mol%, about 0.1 mol% to about 6 mol%, about 0.1 mol% to about 5 mol%, about 0.1 mol% to about 4 mol%, about 1 mol% to about 7 mol%, about 2 mol% to about 6 mol%, or From about 3 mol% to about 6 mol%, and all ranges and subranges therebetween.

In one or more embodiments, the glass composition comprises _ZrO in an amount equal to or less than about 0.2 mol%, less than about 0.18 mol%, less than about 0.16 mol%, less than about 0.15 mol%, less than about 0.14 mol%, Less than about 0.12 mol%. In one or more embodiments, the glass composition comprises _ZrO2 in the range of about 0.01 mol% to about 0.2 mol%, about 0.01 mol% to about 0.18 mol%, about 0.01 mol% to about 0.16 mol%, about 0.01 mol% to about 0.15 mol%, about 0.01 mol% to about 0.14 mol%, about 0.01 mol% to about 0.12 mol%, or about 0.01 mol% to about 0.10 mol%, and all ranges and subranges therebetween.

In one or more embodiments, the glass composition comprises _SnO in an amount equal to or less than about 0.2 mol%, less than about 0.18 mol%, less than about 0.16 mol%, less than about 0.15 mol%, less than about 0.14 mol%, Less than about 0.12 mol%. In one or more embodiments, the glass composition comprises _SnO2 in the range of about 0.01 mol% to about 0.2 mol%, about 0.01 mol% to about 0.18 mol%, about 0.01 mol% to about 0.16 mol%, about 0.01 mol% to about 0.15 mol%, about 0.01 mol% to about 0.14 mol%, about 0.01 mol% to about 0.12 mol%, or about 0.01 mol% to about 0.10 mol%, and all ranges and subranges therebetween.

In one or more embodiments, the glass composition may include an oxide that imparts color or tint to the glass article. In some embodiments, the glass composition includes an oxide that prevents discoloration of the glass article when the glass article is exposed to ultraviolet radiation. Examples of such oxides include, but are not limited to, oxides of the following elements: Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Ce, W, and Mo.

In one or more embodiments _, the glass composition comprises Fe, expressed as _Fe2O3 , wherein Fe is present in an amount up to and including about 1 mol %. In some embodiments, the glass composition is substantially free of Fe. In one or more embodiments, the glass composition comprises _Fe2O3 in an amount equal to or less than about 0.2 mol %, less than about 0.18 mol %, less than _about 0.16 mol %, less than about 0.15 mol %, less than about 0.14 mol % %, less than about 0.12 mol%. In one or more embodiments, the glass composition comprises _Fe2O3 in the range of about 0.01 mol% to about 0.2 mol%, about 0.01 mol% to about 0.18 mol _% , about 0.01 mol% to about 0.16 mol% , about 0.01 mol% to about 0.15 mol%, about 0.01 mol% to about 0.14 mol%, about 0.01 mol% to about 0.12 mol%, or about 0.01 mol% to about 0.10 mol%, and all ranges and subunits therebetween scope.

Where the glass composition includes _TiO2 , _TiO2 can be present in an amount of about 5 mol% or less, about 2.5 mol% or less, about 2 mol% or less, or about 1 mol% or less. In one or more embodiments, the glass composition can be substantially free of TiO ₂ .

Exemplary glass compositions include SiO ₂ in an amount ranging from about 65 mol % to about 75 mol %, Al 2 O ₃ in an amount ranging from about 8 mol % to about 14 mol %, Al ₂ O 3 in an amount ranging from about 12 mol % to about 17 mol % Na ₂ O in the range of about 0 mol% to about 0.2 mol%, K ₂ O in the range of about 0 mol% to about 0.2 mol%, MgO in the range of about 1.5 mol% to about 6 mol%. Optionally, SnO ₂ may be included in amounts otherwise disclosed herein.

Tempered Glass Properties

In one or more embodiments, the outer glass layer 2010 or other glass layers of any of the electroless panel embodiments discussed herein may be formed from strengthened glass sheets or articles. In one or more embodiments, glass articles used to form the layers of the electroless sheet structures discussed herein can be strengthened to include compressive stresses extending from the surface to the depth of compression (DOC). Areas of compressive stress are balanced by a central portion exhibiting tensile stress. At the DOC, the stress spans from positive (compressive) to negative (tensile) stress.

In one or more embodiments, the glass articles used to form the layers of the electroless sheet structures discussed herein can be mechanically strengthened by exploiting the mismatch in coefficient of thermal expansion between the glass parts to create areas of compressive stress and exhibit Central region of tensile stress. In some embodiments, glass articles can be thermally strengthened by heating the glass to a temperature above the glass transition point followed by rapid quenching.

In one or more embodiments, the glass articles used to form the layers of the electroless sheet structures discussed herein can be chemically strengthened by ion exchange. In the ion exchange process, ions at or near the surface of a glass article are replaced or exchanged with larger ions of the same valence or oxidation state. In those embodiments where the glass article comprises alkali aluminosilicate glass, the ions and larger ions in the surface layer of the article are monovalent alkali metal cations such as Li ⁺ , Na ⁺ , K ⁺ , Rb ⁺ , and Cs ⁺ . Alternatively, the monovalent cations in the surface layer may be replaced with monovalent cations other than alkali metal cations, such as Ag ⁺ or the like. In such embodiments, monovalent ions (or cations) exchanged into the glass article create stress.

The ion exchange process is typically performed by immersing the glass article in a molten salt bath (or two or more molten salt baths) containing larger ions that exchange with smaller ions in the glass article. It should be noted that aqueous salt baths may also be used. Additionally, the composition of the bath may include more than one type of larger ion (eg, Na ⁺ and K ⁺ ) or one larger ion. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that parameters for the ion exchange process include, but are not limited to: bath composition and temperature, immersion time, number of immersions of the glass article in the salt bath (or baths), use of multiple salt baths, Additional steps such as annealing, washing, and the like, which typically consist of the composition of the electroless glass layer (including the structure of the article and any crystalline phases present) and the desired DOC and CS to decide.

Exemplary molten bath compositions may include nitrates, sulfates, and chlorides of larger alkali metal ions. Typical nitrates include _KNO3 , _NaNO3 , _LiNO3 , _NaSO4 , and combinations thereof. The temperature of the molten salt bath typically ranges from about 380°C to about 450°C, while the immersion time ranges from about 15 minutes to about 100 hours, depending on glass thickness, bath temperature, and glass (or monovalent ion) diffusion Rate. However, temperatures and immersion times different from those described above may also be used.

In one or more embodiments, the glass article used to form the layers of the electroless sheet structure may be immersed in 100% NaNO ₃ , 100% KNO ₃ , or NaNO ₃ and KNO ₃ at a temperature of about 370° C. to about 480° C. Combined molten salt bath. In some embodiments, the glass layer of the electroless sheet structure may be immersed in a molten mixed salt bath comprising about 5% to about 90% _KNO3 and about 10% to about 95% _NaNO3 . In one or more embodiments, after being immersed in the first bath, the glass article can be immersed in the second bath. The first bath and the second bath may have different compositions and/or temperatures from each other. The immersion time in the first bath and the second bath can vary. For example, the immersion time in the first bath may be longer than the immersion time in the second bath.

In one or more embodiments, the glass article used to form the layers of the electroless sheet structure may be immersed in a liquid comprising NaNO ₃ and KNO ₃ (e.g., 49%/51%, 50%/50%, 51%/49%) in a melt-mixed salt bath for less than about 5 hours, or even about 4 hours or less.

The ion exchange conditions can be adjusted to provide a "peak" or increase the slope of the stress distribution at or near the surface of the glass layer of the formed electroless sheet structure. Spikes may lead to larger surface CS values. Due to the unique properties of the glass compositions used in the glass layers of the electroless sheet structures described herein, such peaking can be achieved with a single bath or with multiple baths, where the baths have a single component or mixed components.

In one or more embodiments, where more than one monovalent ion is exchanged into the glass article used to form the layers of the electroless sheet structure, the different monovalent ions can be exchanged to different depths within the glass layer (and at different depths in the glass layer). Different stresses are generated at different depths in the product). The resulting relative depths of the stress-generating ions can be determined and lead to different characteristics of the stress distribution.

CS is measured using those methods known in the art, such as by Surface Strain Meter (FSM), by using a commercially available instrument, such as FSM-6000 manufactured by Orihara Industrial Co., Ltd. (Japan). Surface stress measurements rely on accurate measurements of the stress optic coefficient (SOC), which is related to the birefringence of the glass. Next, SOC is measured by those methods known in the art, such as fiber and four-point bending methods, both of which are described in ASTM Standard C770-98 (2013), entitled "Glass Stress-Optical Coefficient Measurement Standard Test Method for Measurement of Glass Stress-Optical Coefficient", which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, and the volume cylinder method. As used herein, CS may be "maximum compressive stress," which is the highest compressive stress value measured within a compressively stressed layer. In some embodiments, the maximum compressive stress is at the surface of the glass article. In other embodiments, the maximum compressive stress may occur at a depth below the surface such that the compressive profile exhibits a "buried peak".

Depending on the intensification method and conditions, DOC can be measured by FSM or a Scattered Light Polarizer (SCALP) such as the SCALP-04 Scattered Light Polarizer available from Glassstress Ltd., Tallinn Estonia. When chemically strengthening a glass article by ion exchange treatment, either FSM or SCALP can be used depending on which ions are being exchanged into the glass article. The FSM was used to measure DOC where stress in the glass was created by exchanging potassium ions into the glass. SCALP was used to measure DOC in the case of stress induced by the exchange of sodium ions into the glassware. In the case of stresses in glassware produced by the exchange of both potassium and sodium ions into the glass, DOC is measured by SCALP since it is believed that the exchange depth of sodium is indicative of DOC and that of potassium ions is indicative of the magnitude of the compressive stress Change (but not stress change from compression to tension); the exchange depth of potassium ions in this glass was measured by FSM. Central tension or CT is the maximum tensile stress and is measured by SCALP.

In one or more embodiments, a glass article used to form a layer of an electroless sheet structure may be strengthened to have a DOC described as a fraction of the thickness t (as described herein) of the glass article. For example, in one or more embodiments, the DOC can be equal to or greater than about 0.05t, equal to or greater than about 0.1t, equal to or greater than about 0.11t, equal to or greater than about 0.12t, equal to or greater than about 0.13t, equal to or Greater than about 0.14t, equal to or greater than about 0.15t, equal to or greater than about 0.16t, equal to or greater than about 0.17t, equal to or greater than about 0.18t, equal to or greater than about 0.19t, equal to or greater than about 0.2t, equal to or greater About 0.21t. In some embodiments, the DOC can range from about 0.08t to about 0.25t, from about 0.09t to about 0.25t, from about 0.18t to about 0.25t, from about 0.11t to about 0.25t, from about 0.12t to about 0.25t , about 0.13t to about 0.25t, about 0.14t to about 0.25t, about 0.15t to about 0.25t, about 0.08t to about 0.24t, about 0.08t to about 0.23t, about 0.08t to about 0.22t, about 0.08t to about 0.21t, about 0.08t to about 0.2t, about 0.08t to about 0.19t, about 0.08t to about 0.18t, about 0.08t to about 0.17t, about 0.08t to about 0.16t, or about 0.08 t to about 0.15t. In some cases, the DOC can be about 20 μm or less. In one or more embodiments, the DOC can be about 40 μm or greater (e.g., about 40 μm to about 300 μm, about 50 μm to about 300 μm, about 60 μm to about 300 μm, about 70 μm to about 300 μm, about 80 μm to about 300 μm, About 90 μm to about 300 μm, about 100 μm to about 300 μm, about 110 μm to about 300 μm, about 120 μm to about 300 μm, about 140 μm to about 300 μm, about 150 μm to about 300 μm, about 40 μm to about 290 μm, about 40 μm to about 280 μm, about 40 μm to about 260 μm, about 40 μm to about 250 μm, about 40 μm to about 240 μm, about 40 μm to about 230 μm, about 40 μm to about 220 μm, about 40 μm to about 210 μm, about 40 μm to about 200 μm, about 40 μm to about 180 μm, about 40 μm to about 160 μm, about 40 μm to about 150 μm, about 40 μm to about 140 μm, about 40 μm to about 130 μm, about 40 μm to about 120 μm, about 40 μm to about 110 μm, or about 40 μm to about 100 μm.

In one or more embodiments, the CS of the glass article used to form the layers of the electroless sheet structure (which may be found at the surface of the glass article or at a depth within the glass article) may be about 200 MPa or greater, 300 MPa, or Greater, 400MPa or greater, about 500MPa or greater, about 600MPa or greater, about 700MPa or greater, about 800MPa or greater, about 900MPa or greater, about 930MPa or greater, about 1000MPa or greater, Or about 1050MPa or greater.

In one or more embodiments, the glass article used to form the layers of the electroless sheet structure may have a maximum tensile stress or central tension (CT) of about 20 MPa or greater, about 30 MPa or greater, about 40 MPa or greater Large, about 45 MPa or greater, about 50 MPa or greater, about 60 MPa or greater, about 70 MPa or greater, about 75 MPa or greater, about 80 MPa or greater, or about 85 MPa or greater. In some embodiments, the maximum tensile stress or central tension (CT) may range from about 40 MPa to about 100 MPa.

Aspect (1) of the present disclosure relates to an electroless board configured to hide a display when the display is not activated, the electroless board comprising: a substrate having a first major surface and a second major surface, the second a major surface opposite to the first major surface; a neutral density filter disposed on the second major surface of the transparent substrate; and an ink layer disposed on the neutral density On an optical filter; wherein the ink layer defines at least one display area and at least one non-display area, the electroless plate transmits at least 60% of incident light in the at least one display area, and the electroless plate is in the at least one display area The at least one non-display area transmits at most 5% of incident light; wherein the contrast sensitivity between each of the at least one display area and each of the at least one non-display area is at least 15 when the display is not activated.

Aspect (2) relates to the article of aspect (1), wherein the substrate transmits at least 70% of incident light in the visible spectrum.

Aspect (3) relates to the article described in aspect (1) or aspect (2), wherein the substrate is a plastic that is at least one of the following: polymethyl methacrylate, polyethylene terephthalate, triacetic acid Cellulose, or polycarbonate.

Aspect (4) relates to the article of aspect (1) or aspect (2), wherein the substrate is glass or a glass-ceramic material.

Aspect (5) relates to the product described in aspect (1) or aspect (2), wherein the substrate comprises soda lime glass, aluminosilicate glass, borosilicate glass, boroaluminosilicate glass, alkali-containing aluminum silicon at least one of alkali-containing borosilicate glass, alkali-containing borosilicate glass, or alkali-containing boroaluminosilicate glass.

Aspect (6) relates to the article of any one of aspects (1 ) to (5), wherein the neutral density filter transmits up to 80% of light in the visible spectrum.

Aspect (7) relates to the article of any one of aspects (1) to (6), wherein the neutral density filter transmits at least 60% of light in the visible spectrum.

Aspect (8) relates to the article of any one of aspects (1) to (7), wherein the neutral density filter comprises a film.

Aspect (9) relates to the article of aspect (8), wherein the film comprises one or more polyester layers and at least one layer comprising a dye, a pigment, a metallized layer, ceramic particles, carbon particles, or at least one of nanoparticles.

Aspect (10) relates to the article of any one of aspects (1) to (7), wherein the neutral density filter includes an ink coating.

Aspect (11) relates to the article of aspect (10), wherein the ink coating is CYMK neutral black.

Aspect (12) relates to the article of aspect (10) or (11), wherein the ink coating has an L* of 50 to 90 according to the CIE L*a*b* color space.

Aspect (13) relates to the article of any one of aspects (1) to (12), wherein the neutral density filter is a solid color.

Aspect (14) relates to the article of any one of aspects (1) to (13), wherein the ink layer has an ink reflectance of 0.1% to 5%.

Aspect (15) relates to the article of any one of aspects (1) to (14), further comprising a surface treatment provided on the first major surface of the substrate.

Aspect (16) relates to the article of aspect (15), wherein the surface treatment is at least one of antiglare, etching, antireflective coating, or durable antireflective coating.

Aspect (17) relates to the article of any one of aspects (1) to (16), wherein the substrate has a thickness of 1 mm or less.

Aspect (18) of the present disclosure relates to an apparatus comprising: an electroless panel having a first side and a second side; and a light source disposed on the second side of the electroless panel, the second The side is opposite to the first side, the electroless panel includes: a substrate having a first main surface and a second main surface, the first main surface corresponds to the first side of the electroless panel, and the second a major surface opposite the first major surface; a neutral density filter disposed on at least a portion of the second major surface of the substrate; and an ink layer disposed on the neutral density filter on at least a portion of the density filter; wherein light having a first intensity is emitted from a light source onto the second side of the electroless panel, and light transmitted through the display area of the electroless panel has a second intensity, the second The intensity is within 30% of the first intensity.

Aspect (19) relates to the device of aspect (18), wherein the neutral density filter transmits at least 70% of light in the visible spectrum.

Aspect (20) relates to the device of aspect (18) or (19), wherein the ink layer comprises an ink having a reflectance of less than 5%.

Aspect (21) relates to the device of any one of aspects (18) to (20), wherein the light source is a light emitting diode (LED) display, an organic LED (OLED) display, a liquid crystal display (LCD), or a plasma display at least one of the

Aspect (22) relates to the device of any one of aspects (18) to (21), wherein the neutral density filter transmits up to 80% of light in the visible spectrum.

Aspect (23) relates to the device of any one of aspects (18) to (22), wherein the light source has an internal reflectance of less than 5%.

Aspect (24) relates to the device according to any one of aspects (18) to (23), wherein the display area of the electroless panel is defined by the absence of an ink layer.

Aspect (25) relates to the device of any one of aspects (18) to (24), wherein the portion of the electroless plate that includes the ink layer defines a non-display area, and wherein the distance between the display area and the non-display area The contrast sensitivity between is at least 15.

Aspect (26) relates to the device of any one of aspects (18) to (25), wherein the ink layer comprises an ink having a reflectance of less than 5%.

Aspect (27) relates to the device of any one of aspects (18) to (26), wherein the neutral density filter comprises a film.

Aspect (28) relates to the device of aspect (27), wherein the film comprises one or more polyester layers and at least one layer comprising a dye, a pigment, a metallized layer, ceramic particles, carbon particles, or at least one of nanoparticles.

Aspect (29) relates to the device of any one of aspects (18) to (26), wherein the neutral density filter comprises an ink coating.

Aspect (30) relates to the device of aspect (29), wherein the ink coating is CYMK neutral black.

Aspect (31 ) relates to the device of aspect (29) or (30), wherein the ink coating has an L* of 50 to 90 according to the CIE L*a*b* color space.

Aspect (32) relates to the device of any one of aspects (18) to (31), wherein the electroless panel further comprises a surface treatment on the first major surface of the substrate, the surface treatment comprising anti-glare, At least one of etching, anti-reflective coating, or durable anti-reflective coating.

Aspect (33) relates to the device according to any one of aspects (18) to (32), wherein the substrate has a thickness of 1 mm or less.

Aspect (34) of the disclosure relates to an article comprising: an electroless sheet having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the electroless sheet comprising: a substrate , the substrate has a first main surface and a second main surface, the first main surface corresponds to the first side of the electroless plate, and the second main surface is opposite to the first main surface; neutral density filter , the neutral density filter is disposed on the second major surface of the transparent substrate; and an ink layer, the ink layer is disposed on the neutral density filter, wherein the ink layer includes an ink having a reflectance of less than 5%. and a display disposed on the second side of the neutral plate, the display having an internal reflectance of less than 5%; wherein the ink layer defines a non-display area through which light from the display is not transmitted, And the absence of the ink layer defines a display area through which light from the display is transmitted.

Aspect (35) relates to the article of aspect (34), wherein the contrast sensitivity between the display area and the non-display area is at least 15.

Aspect (36) relates to the article of aspect (34) or (35), wherein the neutral density filter transmits up to 80% of light in the visible spectrum.

Aspect (37) relates to the article of any one of aspects (34) to (36), wherein the neutral density filter transmits at least 60% of light in the visible spectrum.

Aspect (38) relates to the article of any one of aspects (34) to (37), wherein the neutral density filter comprises a film.

Aspect (39) relates to the article of aspect (38), wherein the film comprises one or more polyester layers and at least one layer comprising a dye, a pigment, a metallized layer, ceramic particles, carbon particles, or at least one of nanoparticles.

Aspect (40) relates to the article of any one of aspects (34) to (37), wherein the neutral density filter comprises an ink coating.

Aspect (41 ) relates to the article of aspect (40), wherein the ink coating is CYMK neutral black.

Aspect (42) relates to the article of aspect (40) or (41 ), wherein the ink coating has an L* of 50 to 90 according to the CIE L*a*b* color space.

Aspect (43) relates to the article of any one of aspects (34) to (42), wherein the display is a light emitting diode (LED) display, an organic LED (OLED) display, a liquid crystal display (LCD), or a plasma display at least one of the

Aspect (44) relates to the article of any one of aspects (34) to (43), further comprising a surface treatment provided on the first major surface of the substrate.

Aspect (45) relates to the article of aspect (44), wherein the surface treatment is at least one of antiglare, etching, antireflective coating, or durable antireflective coating.

Aspect (46) relates to the article of any one of aspects (34) to (45), wherein the substrate has a thickness of 1 mm or less.

Aspect (47) of the present disclosure relates to a vehicle comprising: an inner surface; a display disposed on the inner surface, the display having an internal reflectance of less than 5%; an electroless panel having a first One side and a second side and disposed on the display, the second side is opposite to the first side, the electroless panel includes: a substrate having a first major surface and a second major surface, the first major surface corresponds to On the first side of the electroless plate, and the second main surface is opposite to the first main surface; a neutral density filter, the neutral density filter is arranged on the second main surface of the substrate and an ink layer disposed on the neutral density filter, wherein the ink layer includes an ink having a reflectance of less than 5%; and wherein the ink layer defines a non-display area through which light from the display is not transmitted A non-display area, and the absence of the ink layer defines a display area through which light from the display is transmitted.

Aspect (48) relates to the vehicle of aspect (47), wherein the contrast sensitivity between the display area and the non-display area is at least 15.

Aspect (49) relates to the vehicle of aspect (47) or (48), wherein the neutral density filter transmits up to 80% of light in the visible spectrum.

Aspect (50) relates to the vehicle of any one of aspects (47) to (49), wherein the neutral density filter transmits at least 60% of light in the visible spectrum.

Aspect (51 ) relates to the vehicle of any one of aspects (47) to (50), wherein the neutral density filter comprises a film.

Aspect (52) relates to the vehicle of aspect (51), wherein the film comprises one or more layers of polyester and at least one layer comprising a dye, a pigment, a metallized layer, ceramic particles, carbon particles, or at least one of nanoparticles.

Aspect (53) relates to the vehicle of any one of aspects (47) to (49), wherein the neutral density filter includes an ink coating.

Aspect (54) relates to the vehicle of aspect (53), wherein the ink coating is CYMK neutral black.

Aspect (55) relates to the vehicle of aspect (53) or (54), wherein the ink coating has an L* of 50 to 90 according to the CIE L*a*b* color space.

Aspect (56) relates to the vehicle of any one of aspects (47) to (55), wherein the display is a light emitting diode (LED) display, an organic LED (OLED) display, a liquid crystal display (LCD), or a plasma display at least one of the

Aspect (57) relates to the vehicle of any one of aspects (47) to (56), further comprising a surface treatment provided on the first major surface of the substrate.

Aspect (58) relates to the vehicle of aspect (57), wherein the surface treatment is at least one of an anti-glare coating, an anti-glare surface, an anti-reflective coating, an anti-reflective surface, an easy-to-clean coating, or ink decoration .

Aspect (59) relates to the vehicle of any one of aspects (47) to (58), wherein the substrate has a thickness of 1 mm or less.

Aspect (60) relates to the vehicle of any one of aspects (47) to (59), wherein the interior surface comprises an instrument panel, seat back, armrest, pillar, door panel, floor, headrest, steering wheel, or sun visor any of the

It is in no way intended that any method described herein be construed as requiring that its steps be performed in a particular order, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, if a method claim does not actually state the order in which its steps are to be followed, or if it is not specifically stated in either the claims or the description that the steps are to be limited to a particular order, then no particular order is intended to be inferred. Furthermore, as used herein, the article "a" is intended to include one or more than one element or component and is not intended to be construed as meaning only one.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosed embodiments. Since modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and variations of the disclosed embodiments can be conceived by those skilled in the art in combination with the spirit and substance of the embodiments, the disclosed embodiments should be construed to include within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents of all content.

Claims (51)

1. An electroless plate configured to conceal a display when the display is not activated, the electroless plate comprising:

a glass or plastic substrate having a first major surface and a second major surface, the second major surface being opposite the first major surface;

a neutral density filter disposed on the second major surface of the substrate, the neutral density filter comprising a film or ink coating; and

an ink layer disposed on the neutral density filter;

wherein the ink layer defines at least one display area and at least one non-display area, wherein the electroless plate transmits at least 60% of incident light in the at least one display area and the electroless plate transmits at most 5% of incident light in the at least one non-display area;

wherein a contrast sensitivity between each of the at least one display area and each of the at least one non-display area is at least 15 when the display is not activated,

wherein the contrast sensitivity is calculated according to the following formula:

CS≈R _N +R _I /|R _D –R _I |

wherein R is _N Is the reflectance, R, of the second main surface of the substrate _I Is the reflectance, R, of the ink layer _D Is the internal reflection coefficient of the display.

2. The electroless plate of claim 1, wherein the substrate transmits at least 70% of incident light in the visible spectrum.

3. The electroless plate of claim 1, wherein the substrate is a plastic that is at least one of: polymethyl methacrylate, polyethylene terephthalate, cellulose triacetate or polycarbonate.

4. The electroless plate of claim 1, wherein the glass substrate comprises at least one of a soda lime glass, an aluminosilicate glass, a borosilicate glass, a boroaluminosilicate glass, an alkali-containing aluminosilicate glass, an alkali-containing borosilicate glass, or an alkali-containing boroaluminosilicate glass.

5. The electroless plate of any of claims 1-4, wherein the neutral density filter transmits up to 80% of light in the visible spectrum.

6. The electroless plate of any of claims 1-4, wherein the neutral density filter transmits at least 60% of light in the visible spectrum.

7. The electroless plate of any of claims 1-4, wherein the film comprises one or more polyester layers and at least one layer comprising at least one of a dye, a pigment, a metallized layer, a ceramic particle, a carbon particle, or a nanoparticle.

8. The electroless plate of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the ink coating is CYMK neutral black.

9. The electroless plate of claim 8, wherein the ink coating has a L of 50 to 90 according to CIE L a b color space.

10. The electroless plate of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the neutral density filter is a solid color.

11. The electroless plate of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the ink layer has an ink reflectance of 0.1% to 5%.

12. The electroless plate of any of claims 1-4, further comprising a surface treatment disposed on the first major surface of the substrate.

13. The electroless plate of claim 12, wherein the surface treatment is at least one of anti-glare, etching, anti-reflective coating, or durable anti-reflective coating.

14. The electroless plate of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the substrate has a thickness of 1mm or less.

15. An apparatus, comprising:

a electroless plate having a first side and a second side, the second side opposite the first side, the electroless plate comprising:

a glass or plastic substrate having a first major surface and a second major surface, the first major surface corresponding to the first side of the electroless plate and the second major surface opposite the first major surface;

a neutral density filter disposed on at least a portion of the second major surface of the substrate, the neutral density filter comprising a film or ink coating; and

an ink layer disposed on at least a portion of the neutral density filter; and a light source disposed on the second side of the electroless plate;

wherein light having a first intensity is emitted from the light source onto the second side of the electroless plate and light transmitted through a display area of the electroless plate has a second intensity that is within 30% of the first intensity,

wherein the ink layer comprises an ink having a reflectance of less than 5%.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the neutral density filter transmits at least 70% of light in the visible spectrum.

17. The apparatus of claim 15 or 16, wherein the light source is at least one of a Light Emitting Diode (LED) display, an Organic LED (OLED) display, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), or a plasma display.

18. The apparatus of claim 15 or 16, wherein the neutral density filter transmits up to 80% of light in the visible spectrum.

19. The apparatus of claim 15 or 16, wherein the light source has an internal reflection coefficient of less than 5%.

20. The device of claim 15 or 16, wherein the display area of the electroless plate is defined by an absence of the ink layer.

21. The device of claim 17, wherein the portion of the electroless plate comprising the ink layer defines a non-display area, and wherein a contrast sensitivity between the display area and the non-display area is at least 15,

wherein the contrast sensitivity is calculated according to the following formula:

CS≈R _N +R _I /|R _D –R _I |

wherein R is _N Is the reflectance, R, of the second main surface of the substrate _I Is the reflectance, R, of the ink layer _D Is the internal reflection coefficient of the display.

22. The apparatus of claim 15 or 16, wherein the neutral density filter comprises a film.

23. The device of claim 22, wherein the membrane comprises one or more polyester layers and at least one layer comprising at least one of a dye, a pigment, a metallized layer, ceramic particles, carbon particles, or nanoparticles.

24. The apparatus of claim 15 or 16, wherein the neutral density filter comprises an ink coating.

25. The device of claim 24, wherein the ink coating is CYMK neutral black.

26. The device according to claim 25, wherein L of the ink coating is from 50 to 90 according to CIE L a b color space.

27. The device of claim 15 or 16, wherein the electroless plate further comprises a surface treatment on the first major surface of the substrate, the surface treatment comprising at least one of anti-glare, etching, anti-reflective coating, or durable anti-reflective coating.

28. The device of claim 15 or 16, wherein the substrate has a thickness of 1mm or less.

29. An article of manufacture, comprising:

a electroless plate having a first side and a second side, the second side opposite the first side, the electroless plate comprising:

a glass or plastic substrate having a first major surface and a second major surface, the first major surface corresponding to the first side of the electroless plate and the second major surface opposite the first major surface;

a neutral density filter disposed on the second major surface of the substrate, the neutral density filter comprising a film or ink coating; and

an ink layer disposed on the neutral density filter, wherein the ink layer comprises ink having a reflectance of less than 5%; and

a display disposed on the second side of the passive plate, the display having an internal reflection coefficient of less than 5%;

wherein the ink layer defines a non-display area through which light from the display is not transmitted, and the absence of the ink layer defines a display area through which light from the display is transmitted.

30. The article of claim 29, wherein a contrast sensitivity between the display region and the non-display region is at least 15,

wherein the contrast sensitivity is calculated according to the following formula:

CS≈R _N +R _I /|R _D –R _I |

wherein R is _N Is the reflectance, R, of the second main surface of the substrate _I Is the reflectance, R, of the ink layer _D Is the internal reflection coefficient of the display.

31. The article of claim 29, wherein the neutral density filter transmits up to 80% of light in the visible spectrum.

32. The article of claim 29, wherein the neutral density filter transmits at least 60% of light in the visible spectrum.

33. The article of any one of claims 29 to 32, wherein the film comprises one or more polyester layers and at least one layer comprising at least one of a dye, a pigment, a metallized layer, a ceramic particle, a carbon particle, or a nanoparticle.

34. The article of any one of claims 29 to 32, wherein the ink coating is CYMK neutral black.

35. The article of claim 34, wherein L of the ink coating is from 50 to 90 according to CIE L a b color space.

36. The article of any one of claims 29 to 32, wherein the display is at least one of a Light Emitting Diode (LED) display, an Organic LED (OLED) display, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), or a plasma display.

37. The article of any one of claims 29 to 32, further comprising a surface treatment disposed on the first major surface of the substrate.

38. The article of claim 37, wherein the surface treatment is at least one of anti-glare, etching, anti-reflective coating, or durable anti-reflective coating.

39. The article of any one of claims 29 to 32, wherein the substrate has a thickness of 1mm or less.

40. A vehicle, comprising:

an inner surface;

a display disposed on the inner surface, the display having an internal reflection coefficient of less than 5%;

a non-electrical plate having a first side and a second side, the second side opposite the first side and disposed on the display, the non-electrical plate comprising:

a glass or plastic substrate having a first major surface and a second major surface, the first major surface corresponding to the first side of the electroless plate and the second major surface opposite the first major surface;

a neutral density filter disposed on the second major surface of the substrate, the neutral density filter comprising a film or ink coating; and

an ink layer disposed on the neutral density filter, wherein the ink layer comprises an ink having a reflectance of less than 5%; and is

Wherein the ink layer defines a non-display area through which light from the display is not transmitted and the absence of the ink layer defines a display area through which light from the display is transmitted.

41. The vehicle of claim 40, wherein a contrast sensitivity between the non-display area and the display area is at least 15,

wherein the contrast sensitivity is calculated according to the following formula:

CS≈R _N +R _I /|R _D –R _I |

wherein R is _N Is the reflectance, R, of the second main surface of the substrate _I Is the reflectance, R, of the ink layer _D Is the internal reflection coefficient of the display.

42. The vehicle of claim 40, wherein the neutral density filter transmits up to 80% of light in the visible spectrum.

43. The vehicle of claim 40, wherein the neutral density filter transmits at least 60% of light in the visible spectrum.

44. The vehicle of any one of claims 40-43, wherein the film comprises one or more polyester layers and at least one layer comprising at least one of a dye, a pigment, a metallized layer, ceramic particles, carbon particles, or nanoparticles.

45. The vehicle of any one of claims 40-43, wherein the ink coating is CYMK neutral black.

46. The vehicle of any of claims 40-43, wherein L of the ink coating is from 50 to 90 according to CIE L a b color space.

47. The vehicle of any one of claims 40-43, wherein the display is at least one of a Light Emitting Diode (LED) display, an Organic LED (OLED) display, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), or a plasma display.

48. The vehicle of any one of claims 40-43, further comprising a surface treatment disposed on the first major surface of the substrate.

49. The vehicle of claim 48, wherein the surface treatment is at least one of an anti-glare coating, an anti-glare surface, an anti-reflective coating, an anti-reflective surface, an easy-to-clean coating, or an ink decor.

50. The vehicle of any one of claims 40-43, wherein the substrate has a thickness of 1mm or less.

51. The vehicle of any one of claims 40-43, wherein the interior surface comprises any one of an instrument panel, a seat back, an armrest, a pillar, a door panel, a floor, a headrest, a steering wheel, or a visor.

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